Jefferson Township

Jefferson Township

Jefferson township was originally a part of Hall township. It contains thirty-five square miles, and in 1907, was estimated to be worth $400,000. Birdseye, its principal town, is estimated at $125,000, making the total $525,000. In 1900, the population was 1,477; Birdseye, 476.

The first purchase of land made in Jefferson township bears date of August 5, 1834, when James Newton bought the southeast quarter of the northwest quarter of section one, township three south, range three west. This land is on Anderson creek, and nearly two miles south of Birdseye. Jefferson township is dry by petition.

Birdseye. There was a crossroads trading point here many years prior to 1846, when it was decided to make it a post-office. Rev. Benjamin T. Goodman was the postmaster at Worth postoffice near Schnellville, and Thomas A. King, who was later Birdseye's first postmaster, went to see "Bird" - as Goodman was known by all his friends - about naming the post office. They selected many names, but on referring to the Postal Directory, found all of them had been pre-empted. At last, in despair, they decided to name the town after "Bird" Goodman. They annexed the "eye" to make it complete. This is the story that is given by Mrs. Inman, who was then Mrs. King, and who was the first postmistress of the town.

It is also said that the King family, then living at Birdseye, wanted a post office, and the nearest postmaster had to be consulted. It was the Rev. B. T. (Bird) Goodman, the Christian minister at Worth P. O. The good minister examined the location, considered the situation, and finally said: "// suits Bird's eye to a Ty-tee.'' In return for the minister's assistance the new postoffice was called Birdseye. [See Page 214.]

The map of Birdseye bears date of January 24, 1880. Its growth wasdue to the construction of the Southern railroad. It is in the timber belt of Dubois county, and is a good shipping point for cross-ties, hoop-poles,, staves, and lumber. The town was incorporated on December 3, 1883. Its corporate limits cover four hundred acres. About 9 o'clock on Sunday night, August 20, 1893, the town was almost totally destroyed by fire. Previous to the fire the town saw much fighting and litigation. It now has some of the best equipped store-rooms and offices, and some of the finest residences in the county. The town has churches and three graded schools. Topographically, the town stands the highest in the county.

The original proprietors of the town of Birdseye were Martha J. Inman, E. E. Inman, Mary M. Baxter, E. H. Baxter, John G. Pollard. Sarah J. Pollard,, and Scott Austin. Since then the town has been enlarged by several additions. In 1872, when the Southern railroad was under construction, Peter Newton and George Alvey were merchants at Birdseye. Following them came these merchants and business men : E. H.. Baxter, John T. Bundy, Geo. F. Atkins, A. J. and C. J. Hubbard, Herman, August, and Wm. N. Koerner, Frank. Zimmer, J. M. Sanders, W. H. Farver, C. J. Mayfield, J. I. King, Jacob Schwartz,. John Hubbs, and E. T. Lovelette.

Born in Germany, October 22. 1821. Served in Company I. 49th Indiana Volunteers, for four years. Took part in the siege of Vicksburg, and the battle of Port Gibson, Champion Hill and others. Laid out the town of Schnellville in 1.S65. and served thirteen years as county commissioner and trustee.

In 1902, much prospecting for oil and gas was done at Birdseye. Both were found, but not developed. [Page 59.], Birdseye has become known far and wide by reason of its shipments of "Birdseye Sorghum." The shipments occasionally amount to twenty cars, valued at $25,000. This sorghum is the product of cane grown in the valleysalong the east line of Dubois county, and through the peculiar soil upon which the cane grows the finished product has a taste that wnns for it a wide market.

Schnellville. This town is situated on land sold for school purposes by the state on March 11, 1846. In 1864, Henry Schnell began a store there,, and on November 27, 1865, he laid out and platted the town of Schnellville.

Henry Schnell was a count}^ commissioner for thirteen years. He was born in Germany, October 2, 1821, and died at Schnellville. He served in Company "I" 49th Indiana during the Civil War.

Schnellville is a prosperous German town, situated in the northwest corner of Jefferson township. For many years Joseph Buchart was its chief merchant.

David Wirsing and Joseph C. Striegel were early smiths at Schnellville. The early physicians were Railing, Grey, Faulkner, Younger, Denbo, Salb, Simmons, and Parsons.

Mentor. Francis M. Sanders is the founder of this town. He was a great admirer of President Garfield, and named the town in his honor. Henry Berger was the surveyor. The postoffice for this place was Altoga. It was discontinued July 15, 1908.